Understanding the Medieval Meditative Ascent

This book explores the distinctive structure of the medieval literary form called the 'meditative ascent,' analyzing how it appears in the works of Augustine, Anselm, Boethius, and Dante.

McMahon draws on Pierre Hadot's research on meditation in ancient philosophy to argue that medieval texts similarly use meditation to guide an interior spiritual transformation.

The study reveals how these authors employ a cosmological pattern of ascent and return to origins, blending Christian and Neoplatonic thought.

McMahon's approach emphasizes literary analysis to uncover subtle philosophical meanings and the internal narrative unity of these classic medieval texts.